Virginia governor wrapping up Asian trade trip

RICHMOND, Va.

Virginia's economic development mission to Asia is winding down after final meetings with South Korean corporate officials and importers.

Gov. Bob McDonnell said Monday that the state trade delegation's gatherings with managers and executives in Japan, China and South Korea have resulted in about six business agreements, with a particular focus on agricultural exports including soybeans and chicken as well as some deals with Virginia ports. More specific details will be announced in the upcoming weeks and months, he said in a conference call from Seoul.

Monday's activities included individual and group meetings with Korean agricultural importers to discuss Virginia seafood, leaf tobacco, soybeans, wine and pork products.

Virginia officials had anticipated strong Asian demand for exports of food products including pork, peanuts and soybeans, McDonnell said, "because these nations have more people than resources to feed them" and that Virginia's $59 billion agriculture industry has the ability to increase its production.

The last leg of the Asian trade trip also included meetings with South Korean agricultural importers, as well as executives from electronics, energy-distribution and shipbuilding companies and consultant Accenture Korea in hopes of growing business in Virginia. As in a previous stop in China, Virginia officials also pushed Virginia's tourism industry and wine exports -- including showing a promotional video translated into Korean.

McDonnell also met with South Korean President Myung-Bak Lee as well as other political officials and Virginia-based U.S. military service members stationed in Seoul.

McDonnell noted that an issue that has overlaid his South Korea talks is a pending free-trade agreement between the United States and South Korea. McDonnell has urged Virginia's congressional delegation to support the agreement, saying it could make it easier for companies to export products to South Korea.

The delegation is scheduled to return to Virginia on Tuesday after the 11-day trip.